What could style mean to a fashion and art student today?
During the first Istituto Marangoni Firenze Open School Day, we got the opportunity to explore what inspires our students’ style and how they are redefining it.
Is style only about external appearances or an expression of one’s own personality?
By Yasemin Yıldırım and Anabella C. Pacheco. Photographs by Asia Niero.
Istituto Marangoni Firenze hosted an Open School day on a warm Saturday morning in December.
It was a unique event that allowed students to get to know each other while also showcasing the skills and creativity they’ve been developing in class.
As is natural, first impressions were made, and, as always, the students’ style inspired and made an impact.
Style is more than random clothes you throw on to cover yourself when you leave the house.
Whether you do it consciously or unconsciously, your style becomes an expression of your personality and what you want to communicate to the world.
It can also be an ever-changing thing, linked to your mood, the weather, and all sorts of factors.
Even if we’d rather pretend that it isn’t true, we have all been fashion victims, had a horrible outfit and/or hair day, and have a picture of us on social media that we’d rather everyone forget.
Don’t despair. Style is ever-changing; you should have fun and use it to let your personality shine.
ELISABETH KHAZARADZE, MASTER CURATING ART AND FASHION
I’MF: What are three words you would use to describe your style?
EK: Comfortable, colourful, and sometimes extraordinary.
I’MF: Where are you from, and how has this influenced your style?
EK: I’m from Georgia. I think this has influenced me a lot because there are a lot of patterns and colourful and traditional clothes, this has been imprinted in me, and I always try to involve it in my outfits.
I’MF: Where do you see yourself in five years?
EK: I would like to own an art gallery where my own art is hanging along with other artists’ paintings. I would like for the gallery to be in London and Georgia.
MARIA ELENA ZECCA, FASHION STYLING & CREATIVE DIRECTION
I’MF: how would you define your style?
MEZ: It’s a different style every day; people even ask why I don’t just pick a style. I think I would be bored with the same style every day. It depends on my mood and the weather.
I’MF: What characteristics do you look for in a new item?
MEZ: It must look nice, and I pay attention to uniqueness. I stopped buying basics because I would have the same four black shirts in the end, and I didn’t see the purpose in that. I want peculiar things, embroidery, and a bit of maximalism.
I’MF: How was the journey to find your style?
MEZ: When I was younger, I would exaggerate my outfits, and I even got bullied for what I was wearing. I wore eclectic stuff, and people found it weird. With time I learned not to care, and the things I used to get bullied for even became trendy. I used to only wear clothes that I considered flattering, which made me look skinny; now, I don’t really care. Not caring about those kinds of things is the goal.
RACHELE NANNINI, FASHION DESIGN & ACCESSORIES
I’MF: What is your definition of style?
RN: Style is something that represents you. When you see someone, you can understand more or less what kind of person they are. It is basically a way to express yourself.
I’MF: Can you describe your personal style with three adjectives?
RN: Three years ago, I would describe my style as “street style”, but it has changed. Now, it is a mix of street style and elegant. I believe one’s style should impress and make you stop and think for a moment.
I’MF: Why did you choose your specific course? For a previous interest in the subject or because you needed to experience something new?
RN: When I started this course three years ago, I wanted to be a fashion stylist. I changed my mind and decided to do fashion design because one of my dreams is to start my own brand.
MATILDE TASSELLI, FASHION DESIGN & ACCESSORIES
I’MF: What is your definition of style?
MT: I don’t have a definition of my style. When I was younger, I preferred to choose brands with logos because everybody used to dress in a certain way where I grew up. I thought if I could dress like them, I would fit in. I have tried to find my own style for the last couple of years. Especially during the pandemic, because I was home alone and didn’t have all the influences around me. So, I started to seek my style and what makes me feel comfortable. I tried to stay away from the trends.
I’MF: What are the characteristics when you buy a new item?
MT: I like to thrift. I look for something I can wear for a long time, meaning more than a year. So, I try to choose the basics but with a touch of something different and cool. It is a feeling. I prefer to buy something I know can style in multiple ways.
Yasemin Yıldırım is a postgraduate student in Master Fashion & Luxury Brand Management at Istituto Marangoni Firenze.
Anabella C. Pacheco is a student of Fashion Business and Digital Marketing Intensive at Istituto Marangoni Firenze.
Asia Niero is an undergraduate student in Multimedia Arts at Istituto Marangoni Firenze.